2 accused of tying up and murdering DeKalb grandpa, his girlfriend

When DeKalb County police arrived, Samuel White Jr., a grandfather of three, and his girlfriend were tied up, hands and feet behind their backs.

Their roommate had just come home to Stone Mountain's The Park at East Ponce Apartments, found them and called 911, according to a police report.

White, 54, and Sylvia Watson, 57, had both been shot in the head.

On Monday, authorities arrested 28-year-old Vernon Beamon on charges of murder and kidnapping in the Oct. 24 case.

The same charges have been brought against Christopher Spencer, 26, who records indicate was jailed on drug charges when he was accused in the killings.

Maj. Stephen Fore said investigators believe robbery was the motive. Both suspects are also charged with armed robbery.

The incident report lists only one thing stolen: White's credit card.

It isn't clear why the couple would be targeted.

White, a surgical tech at Northside Hospital, was from Michigan. He had two daughters and three grandchildren, two boys and a girl.

In a collage accompanying the online obituary is a certificate from the time he was employee of the month at the hospital. Another certificate — one of appreciation from MARTA — sings praises of his bravery from one day in 2010 when he jumped onto a live track and saved the life of a woman who'd fallen in front of a train.

Watson, a native of Los Angeles, appeared smitten with her boyfriend.  She posted his photo to her Facebook page, where she also shared messages about the importance of family and the power of prayer.

White and Watson took in the roommate, 54, a few weeks before their deaths. He was staying in the living room of the apartment, which is roughly a mile from Stone Mountain Park.

He told police he visited his girlfriend before coming home around 10:30 p.m.

He put his key in the lock and noticed the door was already unlocked.

In a hallway, he found White and Watson, lifeless.

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